[ciscovet]

Like i said, I just happened to be browsing the forums and someone mentioned that the ELR was a good deal. So I started looking around and saw a couple here. One 2014 for 25k with 25k miles. Currently have a paid off 2014 premier with 45k miles. I love the look of the car and really would love to have one. Any comments for or against getting it? I have a 6 yr old but other than that I don't see any problems. My partner has a large enough car to get around.

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Like i said, I just happened to be browsing the forums and someone mentioned that the ELR was a good deal. So I started looking around and saw a couple here. One 2014 for 25k with 25k miles. Currently have a paid off 2014 premier with 45k miles. I love the look of the car and really would love to have one. Any comments for or against getting it? I have a 6 yr old but other than that I don't see any problems. My partner has a large enough car to get around.

You don't need it.
It's not as practical as a Volt.
It's not as efficient as a Volt, and has less electric range.
Don't feed the consumption monster.

Given the expected continued advance in electrification, I think you're nicely set up with a 2014. By the time it dies, there should be a bunch of great cars available.
You're in the clear on your car. Keep making the payments, but into savings/investments or paying off other debts. Every such "post-payment" leaves you better off.

(I have a 2010 Prius and a 2013 Volt. Volt primary car and wife's commuter, Prius my commuter. Plan is now to keep my Prius until it becomes serious trouble and replace Volt around 2023. But who knows what the future will bring.)

 

[pianocaddie]

You don't need it. "Needing" isn't necessarily part of the question. "Wanting" maybe?
It's not as practical as a Volt.Agreed. Back seat is not for anyone over 5'7", although it's extremely comfortable otherwise. Ingress/egress is typical for a 2 door coupe. If I had a toddler, I would NOT want to load a child in/out of the back seat. It's just too cramped.
It's not as efficient as a Volt, and has less electric range.What do you base this on? Mine, purchased with 14k miles, had a lifetime 172MPG, currently 168MPG. I consistently get 40miles all electric.

My wife and I drove several 2014 Volts (in the $14-16k range) and 2014 ELRs ( $26-30k), with miles from 14k-40k, prior to purchasing the ELR. We also drove a new 2018 Volt, and a 2018 Bolt. (I really wanted to like the Bolt, but just didn't!)

Yes, the ELR and Volt share a drivetrain, but the ELR is tweaked for performance and refinement. It is truly a premium car in refinement, fit and finish. Paint, leather, dash/door trim, is truly luxurious.

Exterior design is a matter of taste. In our opinion, the ELR is truly exceptional (collector car status), and the Volt is understated, which many might prefer. It is a matter of opinion.

We have adult children. Our ELR is our "empty nester" commuter car. I would NOT consider the ELR for daily use with children.

 

[pianocaddie]

I should add: IF you're a "car guy" that appreciates function/design, DO NOT DRIVE THE ELR! As I stated above (maybe "understated" above) the difference is staggering. BUT...double the cost of a used 2014 Volt, with a limited backseat AND TRUNK. Insurance might also be an obstacle for you.
The other thread mentioned finding a 2016: $10-15k MORE than a 2014, but with performance upgrades

 

[Bill Step]

I can't talk you out of it.I love the car.If I were you,I'd be looking for a 16 w/ RM in the vin #.Performance package is really nice.Plus people will give you double takes.Cars are rare breed.
Go for it.

 

[FI Spyder]

Boils down to one thing. Regardless where you are the ELR will be double the cost of the Volt. You have to ask "Would I rather have a Volt plus what ever I could buy with the extra money (think big (big) screen TV), maybe even an OLED or QLED, plus vacations or boat or airplane (OK maybe a light plane) or what ever" or would I rather have an ELR. Unless of course you have more money than you have wants/needs then the question is academic.

 

[Bill Step]

honestly,,the ELR is not double the cost.I damn near get the same miles,electric or gas as I did w/ my volt.hell,just yesterday I averaged 36mpg at 70-75 coming home from Falmouth,MA.
And when you go to Cadi for service,,they actually treat you right,,not like chevy service which get annoyed you brought your volt in for anything.

 

[lagagnon]

And when you go to Cadi for service,,they actually treat you right,,not like chevy service which get annoyed you brought your volt in for anything.

That has not been my experience with my local Chevrolet dealer...

 

[pianocaddie]

Double the cost? Purchase price, yes. My 2014, 14k miles, cost me $30k, (not a single flaw/chip, garage kept), for a car that is in a different class.

Operating costs are probably identical.

BACK SEAT? Definitely an issue if it's to be used on a regular basis, although an enthusiast who really loves cars might tolerate it. We're practically empty-nesters...

 

[dannycamps]

The ELR at its original list price was kind of crazy as you could get a Model S for the same money. Now that they are selling used in the range of $25-30k it's a substantially better proposition.

 

[ciscovet]

Thanks guys, honestly I have never seen one and there is one close by. I love my volt really I do but the only car that I feel is nicer than the volt is the ELR. What's better than having the volt drive train with a awesome luxurious cadillac setup. My volt has been very reliable. I did need to get a new battery section because of a bad temp sensor other then that its been great. I have a very short commute to work at about 5 mi. My only real hang up and I will have to look at it is the kids situation. Personally I really don't have an issue with kids in the small backseat. Majority of my friends do. People make due all the time. Was this model year pretty reliable?

 

[pianocaddie]

Sounds like you're already hooked. I'd like your wife's phone number, see if I can try to get her to talk you out of it.

DO NOT GO TO SEE THE CAR! in person, it is possitively addictive. I'm 64, have lusted after many cars (ugh...STILL want a 1979 AMX!) and I just can't get the image of this car out of my mind. I park away from others, and the sight of the car still stops me in my tracks.

Seriously, though, give the back seat a close examination. Post car-seat, will your children appreciate the car enough to be willing to crawl in and out? I know MINE wouldn't, but they're 17 and 20 now, so they have alternatives.

Also, the doors are quite long. If you don't have room (garage) to open them fully, it's a real pain getting in/out...(although it might be easier for me after my bad hip is replaced in 2 weeks!)

Reliability? Someone willing to weigh in on that?

 

[cbsimons]

As a recent ELR owner, had mine about a month, I say go for it if you don't need a back seat. I had a Volt for a year, wanted one since they came out but waited to get a used one because of the heavy depreciation. When I purchased the Volt I had never heard of an ELR, and still can't remember how I first discovered it. I watched the reviews and read everything, several times, and decided to go for it. My kids are grown, it's just me most of the time, or my wife and I. I kept reading through the negative points and none of them seemed to apply to me. I was lucky to find a low mileage 2014 in great shape, that had been charged correctly. 77 percent of its miles were electric. The car has the nicest interior of anything I've owned and it gets every bit of the looks you've heard about. When my wife and I travel, I throw a blanket on the rear seats to put our luggage that won't fit in the trunk and don't worry about charging on the road. It's a great, great car for me.

 

[pianocaddie]

Not surprising that ELR owners are enthusiastic about their cars. I'm totally obsessed with mine.

But...I don't have kids, no need to use the back seat on a regular basis.

 

[CadillacELR22]

Spring Hill,

I have had my 2014 ELR for 3 months and 1,000 miles. 99% local Pensacola driving. The Good News: They nickname this car the 'Unicorn' for a good reason. Haven't seen another in Pensacola yet... Awesome reliability, dependability, and at 250mpg-e what's to complain about. The Bad News: Vince Whibbs Cadillac will NOT touch this car with a 10' pole. The closest ELR Qualified Dealership is Atlanta according to Cadillac CS. I have changed my Wiper Blades and just bought my Oil Filter and Oil for an upcoming Oil Change (Every 2 Years). The Ugly News: Nothing. My ELR has all 3 Options for '14. 1. Luxury Package 2. Kona Brown Leather Seating Package. 3. Adaptive Cruise Control.
As all the other Owners have stated I would ONLY consider this car, with kids, IF you take your kids with you for the Test Drive. Let them crawl into the back and watch them. I'm a Bachelor and I have enough room for my golf clubs in the trunk and weekly grocery runs are easy. I have never used the back seats for anything. The dog sits in the front seat when we go to the park...
People are always coming up to me and asking what I'm driving...I'm not used to that and yet when they hear the part about 42EV Miles per charge and 250mpg-e they perk up and want to know more...
State of the Art Tech and having driven the Volt, Leaf, Hyundai Plug In Sonata, Prius Plug In, and Tesla S I can honestly say nothing drew me to a purchase decision like the ELR.
I paid $22K for mine and have never looked back. Everything works and you owe it to yourself to at least Test Drive one with your Kids and see IF the Dealership will let you keep it for a day or two. Spend some time with it...
BTW With Gulf Power it costs me about $2.25 to get a Full Charge at the 120VAC 12AMP Charge Rate over 8 hours. I do not have a Level 2 240VAC Charger in the garage.
Best of Luck with your decision...JP

 

[ama0787]

Sounds like you are happy with your car get the level 2 charger and I doubt you willl ever need gas takes just under 4 hours for a full charge. I use all my electric miles every morning but with the 240 volt I usually can stay on battery for rest of day you get about.10-12 miles an hour.

It is very easy to add 240 particularly if you. Have a breaker box in your garage.